At 6:07 P.M. Vatican time on 8 May 2025, the new Pope was officially announced. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel, followed by the ringing bells at St. Peter's Basilica, signalling the announcement. Clad in a white cassock and red cape, the newly elected pope stepped onto the balcony, where thousands had gathered, waiting eagerly for the declaration of a new era in the papacy. Just 17 days after Pope Francis’ death, Robert Francis Prevost was introduced as Pope Leo XIV — the 267th pontiff, and the first U.S.-born man to hold the title. Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian origin. "I was born in the United States... But my grandparents were all immigrants, French, Spanish... I was raised in a very Catholic family, both of my parents were very engaged in the parish," he said to BBC News. Former Archbishop of Boston, Seán Patrick O'Malley wrote on his blog that the new pontiff "has chosen a name widely associated with the social justice legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration". Pope Leo XIV grew up in the suburbs of Dolton, Ill., just outside Chicago, where he spent his early years as an altar boy before he was ordained in 1982. In 1985, Pope Leo moved to Peru, where he spent a decade as a local parish pastor and as a teacher at a seminary in Trujillo in northwestern Peru, helping the Peruvian people recover from the devastating aftermath of El Niño. In 2015, Pope Leo obtained Peruvian citizenship. He referred to the country as "mi segunda patria," which translates to "my second homeland." Pope Leo XIV blessing a baby/ Source: Instagram/ @pontifex “Peru is rejoicing at the election of Pope Leo XIV,” said Archbishop Gualtieri, in an interview with The Vatican News, in the same interview, he also recounted Cardinal Prevost's compassionate leadership during the difficult times of the 2020 pandemic, describing how Pope Leo was a ray of light and hope for the Peruvian people, which is why they are fond of him even today. "He would arrive and he was very, very warm with the people, especially the people of the Sierra to whom he would offer his help. He would deliver food and other supplies to remote areas, sometimes carrying sacks of rice himself." Reverend Elmer Uchofen recounted to the New York Times. Pope Leo has always been and will continue to be a strong and outspoken supporter of immigrants and indigenous communities. Meanwhile, amid rising crises such as increasing inequality, climate change, global migration, violence, and protracted wars, the role of the Pope is more crucial than ever. However, the Catholic Church is wrestling with its internal struggles and conflicting views. In recent years, a gradual rift has emerged within the Catholic Church, specifically between the Progressives and Conservatives. The Conservatives wish to regress to older mechanisms in the Latin Mass, while the Progressives appeal for more inclusivity in pastoral care. Pope Leo XIV’s moderate approach, blending traditional values and progressive leadership, may successfully lead to the reconciliation of opposing views within the Catholic Church and enhance its mission. Pope Leo is also most likely to follow a synodal fashion to lead the Church. Synodality is an inclusive approach of leadership in the Catholic Church, which encourages priests to partake in the decision-making process, ensuring that the diverse voices of the Church are always taken into consideration. He considers collaborative approaches critical to establishing unity and ensuring effective pastoral care. Pope Leo XIV has thus been labelled as ‘The Missionary Pope’ with years of missionary and humanitarian service under his belt. Near the end of his first General Audience given from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV said, “The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful.” He also renewed his appeal for the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and an end to the hostilities, noting that the heartbreaking price was being paid by children, the elderly, and the sick. This public statement indicates that Pope Leo XIV intends to follow in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who frequently spoke out against violence and advocated for peace and compassion during times of conflict. Pope Leo XIV’s journey from the humble suburbs of Chicago through his missions in Trujillo to his first address given from the grand balcony of the Vatican reflects a pilgrimage that bridges different cultures, continents, and the evolving face of the Catholic Church. At a turning point for both the Roman Catholic Church and the world at large, Pope Leo’s life reflects a deep understanding of suffering, justice, and renewal; these qualities will guide his papacy in navigating the moral and spiritual challenges of the 21st-century church. As Pope Leo XIV enters a fragmented world and a divided Church, all eyes are on whether he can transform his missionary past into a legacy of reform and rebirth.
12 May 2025
Keya Waghmare
